Sissonville, WV – A fatal single-vehicle crash in the Sissonville area left a 17-year-old driver dead Wednesday afternoon, according to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. The crash occurred around 4 p.m. in the 7100 block of Rocky Fork Road, an area northwest of Charleston known for sharp curves and narrow shoulders.
According to the sheriff’s office, Metro Communications received both a witness report and an Apple crash detection alert before first responders were dispatched to the scene. Deputies said the vehicle was traveling from Sissonville toward Cross Lanes when it drifted into the left lane, then sharply corrected back into its lane of travel. The vehicle then left the roadway, went down a ravine, flipped onto its side, and struck a tree.
The teenage driver, whose name has not been released pending family notifications, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Deputies, firefighters, and EMS personnel from Kanawha County remained on site for several hours as investigators documented skid marks, roadway conditions, and vehicle positioning.
According to investigators, the early findings point to overcorrection after drifting out of the lane, a common factor in single-vehicle crashes along rural West Virginia roadways. No other vehicles were involved.
Rocky Fork Road remained partially restricted while emergency crews worked the scene. Officials have not said whether weather, speed, or distraction played any role in the crash. More information is expected once next-of-kin notifications are complete and the reconstruction report advances.
The sheriff’s office encourages drivers in Kanawha County to use caution on rural roadways, particularly during evening hours when visibility and travel conditions can change quickly.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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